Knot-simulating necktie clasp



Dec. 25, 1956 T. G. scHRADE 2,774,971 v KNOT-SIMULATING NECKTIE CLASP Filed Jan. 3, 1955' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V'IHEUDURE. 12. SEHRADE.

CIttomeg 1956 T. G. SCHRADE 2,774,971

KNOT-SIMULATING NECKTIE CLASP Filed Jan. 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Y Mentor THEEIDDRE B. E: EHRAEIE.

Bu W

dttomeg United States PatentO 2,774,971 KNOT-SIMULATING NECKTIE CLASP Theodore G. Schrade, Nichols, Conn. 7

Application January 3, 1955, Serial No. 479,431

7 Claims. (Cl. 2-153) The present invention relates to a knot-simulating decorative cl-asp for neckties, and has for an objectto provide a device of this character which will enclose the knotted portion of a necktie which is partially tied in four-in-hand or Windsor knot fashion with the tieends drapedv downwardly therefrom and so positioned asto be'maintained in a transversely curved relation adjacent the device with a central depressed dimple formed. in the outwardly exposed tie end, to theend that the ensemble will givev the appearance of a perfectly tied four-inhand or .Windsor, knot tie without requiring any particular tying skill; on the part of the wearer.

Another object is to provide a knot-simulating clasp which-has means thereon for preventing its downward slipping when positioned for use-on the wearer, thereby providing a clasp which maintains a neat appearance without requiring any upward adjustment whenproperly worn. ,1 f I a f if ,A further object is to provide a knot-simulating clasp .Which may be conveniently and economically gfor rned from molded plastic material, thus permitting its production in attractive colors and finishes. .-j Inthe normal' tying ofa four-in-hand or tie,the outwardly exposed tie end is first folded ;over the intersecting loopedportions of the neck encircling part of the tie, and is then drawn downwardly throughthe loop toform aknot which is tightened to hold the tie 1 Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a knot-simulating clasp.

Windsonknot in place- This'not, only requiresconsiderable skill, but H after a, few tyings produces wrinkles and tends 'to wear out thetie in short order. Also, the knot, due to handling and proximity to the chin of thewearer, becomes soiled after; short use.

knot-.simulatingclasp which will enable .the tie to be only partially tied, i. e., the forward end of the-tie, which is normally :engaged through the looped knot portion andtightly confined within the tightened knotyis relatively loose relation and the folded over end remaining ,in a relatively flat state.

' According to the invention, the knot-simulating clasp is slidably engagedwith thetie ends and resiliently held .in position thereon so that the tie ends are neatly posi- -tioned without appreciable crushing or wrinkling, and

.at the same time the looped portion ofthe tie is= en.-

closedwithin a pocket which conceals and protects it. Additionally, the clasp is positively engaged with the It isgproposed in the present invention to providea vlooselyfolded' over the loop, the latter remaining in a forward sides of the neck encircling part of the tie to I lprevent downward slipping by the clasp.

While the invention is primarily intended for-general usage,'itlends'itself to production as a novelty for use b'yjf's'pe'cial. groups, as, for instance, college students,

c'lubs and the like, in that it provides a surface upon which emblems, initials, names, etc. may be placed jeither'fby directly molding into the-plastic materialiDr 'by 'otherwise suitably applying it thereto. I

'i' 'Qther objects and advantages of the invention'will beconieapparent from a consideration of the following d e- 2,774,971 Patented Dec. 25, 1956 ice tailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein satisfactory embodiments of the inventionare shown. However, it is to be understoodthatthe invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall' within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claimsa I The present invention is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 456,651, filedSeptember 17,1954. 5

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation of the knot-simulating clasp according to one ofthe illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention; H

Fig.2 is atop plan view; Big. 3 .is a horizontal'sectional view taken along the line .3-3; of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation;

; Fi,g. 5 isa side elevation;

Fig. 6 is auvertical sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig.1; I v v Fig. ;7Jis a perspective view showing a necktie partially tied into four-in-hand or Windsor knot fashion preparatory to engagement 'by the device of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, similar to Fig. 6, .showing the clasp engaged with the tie; I p 1 Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view, similar to Fig. '3, showing the clasp engaged with the tie;

- Fig. 10 is aperspective view, partially broken away, on a reducedscale showing the device in its operative relationship to a tie and'shirt;

,Figs. 1 through 10, the knot-simulating decorative clasp,

according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention,.is preferably formed from molded plastic material and comprises a generally shell-like body having a front wall portion 10 of generally convex form at its forward or-outer side, the convexity being both vertically-and transversely. The upper'edge of'the body is concavely curved, as at 11, and the side edges 12-12 are each in. the general form of an ogeecurve, the two side edg'esconver ging downwardly to a horizontal bottom wall 13 of susbtantially semi-circular form. The concave portions of the ogee curves of the side edges are adjacent their upper widely divergent ends, which upper ends are spaced from the ends of the upper concave edge 11 so as to define wind portions 14-14 at each side of the body. These wing portions are convexly curved at their forward or outer sides so that their swept back end edges 15, which are inclined rearwardly, downwar dly and outwardly, have an outwardly bowed shape, as seen in Fig. 2. Positioned in the wing portions 14-14 of the clasp, ,adjacent to and in parallel relation with swept back end edges 15-15, are notches or slots 16-16 which extend inwardly from edges 12-12, preferably to a depth equal to the depth of the forward sides of the neck encircling-portion of a tie to be used with the clasp. Situated between swept back edges 15-15 and notches 16-16 are hook members 16a. In the use of the device, the wing portions 14-14 having notches 1 61 6 the'rein are adapted to extend beneath the flaps of the shirt collar and to be hooked over the forward "sides of the neckencircling portion of the tie, as seen in Figs. 8 and 10. Additionally the.wing.pnrtions..en close and conceal the said forward side portions of said tie, .as will presently more fully appear.

The side edges 12-12.extendfromtherxrearward corners of the bottom wall 13'to the lower :ends 'of the wing edges 15-15 and as the edges 15-'15'are. swept back, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the side edges: 12 also sweep back at their upperportions so thati-the .inner'aside of the device will, when fitted inrelation'toithe shirt collar, seat comfortably upon the: wearer andzat the same time provide suitable clearance space for the. tie engaged therewith.

Within the lower downwardly convergent portion of the body there is provided at the inner-aside a block-like formation 17, the lower wall of which is the lowenwall 13 of the body and the upper-wand? of which isin a horizontal plane and substantially at the 'midpoint' between the upper and lower edges of the shell. Theside walls 19-19 are preferablyverticallydisposedandablend into the lower portions of the downwardly convergent side wall portions of the body-10o Within the block portion 17 there is forrned a vertically extending slot 20 of arcuate-for-m transversely, its curvature being concentric to the semi-circular forward edge 13a of the bottom wall 13 and its forward wall 21 being inwardly spacedfrom the edge 13a, thus providing a narrow shoulder surrounding the lower end of the slot and which, in the engaged relation-of the-tie withthe clasp, positions the tie in slightly'inwardly spaced relation to the curved lower edge 13aoftheclasp and in correspondingcurvature to the curvature of said lower edge. The rearward wall of the slot is formed by a pair of leaf spring portions 22-22 which extend from the outer ends of the slot in concentric relation to the forward wall 21 to points spaced from the center line of the device, so that an entrance opening 23 is provided between the inner ends of the two spring portionsfor insertion of the tieends into the slot, as will presently more fully appear.

The leaf spring portions 22 each terminate in a vertical rib-like rounded formation 24 projecting toward the forward wall 21 and which serves to grip the tie ends between the forward wall 21 and the spring portions, which have sufiicient resiliency to spring rearwardly during insertion of the tie and to then engage the tie under suflicient tension'to restrain its'free movement. Within the entrance opening 23 there is provided upon the front wall 21 a vertical rib-like rounded formation 25 which, in cooperation with the rib-like formation 24," provides an undulating passage in the central portion of the slot. This, as will presently more fully appear, has the double function of holding the tie in place in cooperation with the pressure of "the spring portions 22, and at the same time producing a centrally disposed dimple in 'the outer end or fold of the tie.

Apocket' 26 is provided'infthe upper portion 0f the device for receiving the loopedportion of the'tie, this portion being defined by the upper portion of the front 'wall 10, by the upper end' 18 ofthe block portion 16, and bythe'inner concavely curved surfaces of the wing portions 14.

In operation, a tie 27 having a neck encircling loop 28 with forward sides thereof 2929, is placed around the neck in the usual manner and is given a simple loop turn, as seen inFig. 7, with one tie end draped over the loop. In forming a four-in-hand or Windsor knot, .this tie end would normally be inserted in the loop and drawn downwardly tightening the loop. However, according to the present invention, the four-in-hand is only partially tied without the necessity for inserting thetie end through the loop and without consequent wrinkling andcrushing of the tie material. The tie endsare then inserted at a short distance below the loop within the slot 24) byIlfirst engaging the edges of the two tie ends at one side through the entrance opening 23 and transversely forcing the tie endsvin .one..direction, intheslot to the point where the edges at the other side of the tie ends may be engaged in the entrance slot, whereupon the last engaged edges are slid into the slot in the other direction, the spring portions 22 being flexed outwardly during this process to permit of easy engagement. When so engaged, the spring portions will be under tension, as seen in Fig. 9, pressing the tie ends toward the forward walls 21 of the slot at each side of the rib 25. Thus the-tie is disposed/ina transversely curved position withits outer surface concentric to the semi-circular forward edge 13a of the bottom wall 13, and will be firmly' maintained. in=such"p.osition. At the same time, the .rib 25 produces a centrally disposed dimple in the forward fold of the tie extending downwardly from the bottom wall 13. After the device is thus engaged with the tie, it is slipped upwardly to enclose the loop portion of the tie within the pocket 26 and to bring the wing portions 14l1aving notches 16916 therein under'the collar fiaps 30. At this point, preferably after lifting the collar-flaps, the forwardssides 2929 of the neck encircling portion 28 of the-tie.- are positioned in the notches 1616 as seen in Fig. 10;" and hook members =16aarehooked over the upper edges .of the forward sidesof the tie so as to be engaged behind the latter. When so engaged, the forward edges of the notches overlie-the tier Crimps are thus produced in portionsof thetie passing throughthe notches-which frictionally resist slippage. After so-engaging the clasp, it will be seen that-the forward sides of theneck encircling portion of the tie are enclosed and concealed and that when the flaps are placed in their normal position a neat appearance is presented.

It will be noted that the tension of the spring portions alone is in some instances sufficient tomaintain the clasp in this position. However, the frictional engagement of the wing portions of the clasp with-the forward sidesof the neck encircling portion of the tie through the notches 16-16, positively prevents downward slippingof. the clasp.

Referring to Figs. 11-16 ofthe drawings; a generally shell-like body 31 is provided, having a front wall portion 32 of generally convex format its forwarder outer side; the convexitybeingboth vertically and transversely. The'upper edge of the'body is-concavely curvedas at 33, and the'side edges"34-34 are each' in the general form of an ogee curve,- the two side edges converging downwardlyto a horizontal bottom wall- 35 of substantially semi-circular form. The concave portion ofthe ogee curves of the side edges are adjacent their upper divergent end,-which upper ends are spaced from the ends of the upper concave edge 33 so asto' define'wing-portions 36.

Positioned in the wing portions 3fi 36-iof-"theclasp, adjacent to the swept back end edges 37-'37, are notches 38-'-38 which extend inwardly fromthe side edges 34- -34,-*the end portions between the swept back edges and the notches constituting hook"members"38a; The sides of the notches preferably-converge inwardly,- in distinction to the substantially parallel sides forming-the notches shown in*Figs. 1-10, andthe inner'sides' of-the notches are preferably beveled, as for instance at a 30 angle. The outer sides of the notches are'preferably shorter than the inner sides, so that the ends of the, hook members are upwardly ofiset fromfthe edges 34"34. The tapered notches with their beveled inner edges pro- .vide for greater ease in positioning the forward sides of the neck encircling portions of the tie in the clasp.

Within thelower downwardly convergent portion...of the body there is provided at the innerside, a block portion 39, the lower wall of which is the lower wal1,35 of the, body and the upper wall 40 of which is in a horizontal plane and substantially below the mid-point between the upper and lower edges of the shell, as distinguishedfrom the block, portion 17 of the first embodiment which has its top wall substantially at the mid-point.

"Within the block portion there is'formed a vertically extending opening 41 of arcuate slot-like form at its end portions, its forward wall 42 being inwardly spaced from the lower arcuate edge 43 of the front wall portion 32. The rearward wall of the opening is formed by a pair of substantially V-shaped spring members 4444 which extend for a portion of their length in concentric relation to the forward wall 42, and for the remainder of their length extend rearwardly from the forward wall and inwardly towards the center, their opposed extremities being spaced apart to provide an entrance opening 45. Opposite the entrance opening and upon the forward wall 42, there is a rib-like rounded formation 46 which cooperates to hold a tie in place and also to provide a centrally disposed dimple in the outer end or fold of the tie. A pocket 47 is provided above the block portion 39 for receiving the loop portion of the tie, this pocket being of substantially greater depth than the pocket 26 of the first embodiment.

It will be noted that the V-shape of the spring members 44 provides a larger opening or recess between the outer ends of the spring members and the forward wall of the opening 41. This results in greater ease in initially positioning the tie ends in the opening, and further permits a substantially large loop portion of the tie to be positioned in the pocket 47 of the clasp.

In operation, the present embodiment is employed in substantially the same manner as is the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-1O which is described above.

While the leaf spring portions 2222 and 4444 are shown as integral parts of the molded plastic piece, it is pointed out that if desired these portions may be in the form of separate metallic leaf springs, in which case they will be ser rured to the plastic piece by riveting, or in any suitable manner.

What is claimed is:

1. A knot-simulating necktie clasp comprising a shelllike body including a generally outwardly convex wall, and a block portion upon the inner side of said body having a substantially horizontal top wall substantially spaced below the upper edge of said body to provide the base of a tie loop receiving pocket above said block portion, the front and sides of which are provided by said body above said block portion, said block portion having a vertically extending tie-end receiving slot, the front wall of said slot having a centrally disposed vertically extending rib projecting rearwardly into said slot, and the rear wall of said slot comprising a pair of spring parts connected at their outer ends to said block portion and spaced apart at their inner ends to provide a central entrance opening to said slot.

2. A knot-simulating necktie clasp comprising a shell like body including a generally outwardly convex wall, and a block portion upon the inner side of said body having a top wall substantially spaced below the upper edge of said body to provide a tie loop rceiving pocket above said block portion, said block portion having a vertically extending tie-end receiving slot, the front wall of said slot having a centrally disposed vertically extending rib projecting rearwardly into said slot, and the rear wall of said slot comprising a pair of spring parts connected at their outer ends to said block portion and spaced apart at their inner ends to provide a central entrance opening to said slot, said spring parts each having at its inner end a vertically extending rib projecting forwardly into said slot in spaced relation at the respective sides of said rib of said front wall.

3. A knot-simulating necktie clasp comprising a shelllike body including a generally outwardly convex wall terminating at its lower end in a horizontally disposed substantially semicircular edge, and a block portion upon the inner side of said body having a top wall substantially spaced below the upper edge of said body to provide a tie loop receiving pocket above said block portion, said block portion having a vertically extending tie-end receiving slot of transversely arcuate form and substantial- 1y concentric to said'lower edge, the front wall of said slot having a centrally disposed vertically extending rib projecting rearwardly into saidslot, and the rear wall of said slot comprising a pair of springparts connected at their outer ends to said block portion and spaced apart attheir inner ends to provide a central entrance opening to said'slot, said-spring parts eachhaving at its inner end a vertically extending rib projecting forwardly into said slot in spaced relation at the respective sides of said rib of said front wall.

4. A knot-simulating necktie clasp comprising a shelllike body including a generally outwardly convex wall having a central wall portion terminating at its lower end in a substantially horizontally disposed semi-circular edge and side wing portions extending outwardly from each side of the upper portion of said central wall portion and terminating in downwardly and outwardly inclined and rearwardly swept-back end edges, the upper edge of said body portion being concavely curved between the upper extremities of the end edges of said wing portions, and the side edges of said body being in the form of downwardly convergent ogee curves extending from the lower extremities of the end edges of said wing portions to the rearward extremities of said lower edge of said body portion, said ogee curves having their concave portions adjacent said wing portions and their convex portions adjacent said lower edge, and a block portion upon the inner side of said body having a lower Wall in the horizontal plane of said lower edge and a top wall substantially spaced below said upper edge to provide a tie loop receiving pocket above said block portion, said block portion having a vertically extending tie-end receiving slot of transversely arcuate form and substantially concentric to said lower edge.

5. A knot-simulating necktie clasp comprising a shelllike body including a generally outwardly convex wall having a central wall portion terminating at its lower end in a substantially horizontally disposed semi-circular edge and side wing portions extending outwardly from each side of the upper portion of said central wall portion and terminating in downwardly and outwardly inclined and rearwardly swept-back end edges, the upper edge of said body portion being concavely curved between the upper extremities of the end edges of said wing portions, and a block portion upon the inner side of said body having a lower wall in the horizontal plane of said lower edge and a top wall substantially spaced below said upper edge to provide a tie loop receiving pocket above said block portion, said block portion having a vertically extending tieend receiving slot of transversely arcuate form and substantially concentric to said lower edge, the front wall of said slot having a centrally disposed vertically extending rib projecting rearwardly into said slot, and the rear wall of said slot comprising a pair of spring parts connected at their outer ends to said block portion and spaced apart at their inner ends to provide a central entrance opening to said slot.

6. A knot-simulating necktie clasp comprising a shelllike body including a generally outwardlycurved wall, and a block portion upon the inner side of the body having a substantially horizontal top wall substantially spaced below the upper edge of said body to provide the base of a tie receiving loop pocket above said block portion, the front and sides of which are provided by said body above said block portion, said block portion having a tie receiving opening therein defined at its forward side by the inner surface of said shell-like body, and defined at its rearward side by a pair of spring means secured at their outer ends to said body and spaced apart at their inner ends, said spring means each extending forwardly for its entire length in substantially parallel relation to said forward side of said opening.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6, wherein said spring means each extends forwardly for a portion of its length in substantially parallel relation to said forward References Cited in'the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hoppe 8 Ian. 30, 1923 Brinkley v Mar..29,, 1932 '8 Candy; .-Nov. 2,1,..1939 Koivisto' Apr. 6, 1943 -Skivenes .Iuly125, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS I Australia Nov. 10, 1952 France Dec. 10, 1910 

